Full Breakdown
Diamondbacks Seek Five-Game Winning Streak as Ketel Marte Continues Hot Stretch
5/22/2026, 11:40:15 PM
Diamondbacks Aim for Five-Game Winning Streak vs. Rockies
The Arizona Diamondbacks will open a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at Chase Field, aiming to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games. The series follows a 5-4 loss in Denver and a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants.
Recent Surge and Marte’s Hot Streak
Arizona has scored five or more runs in six of its last seven games and recorded nine hits each contest. Ketel Marte, who began the season at .209, raised his average to .235 and OPS to .702, highlighted by a walk-off three-run homer on Tuesday and three hits on Wednesday.
Key Players & Statistics
Torey Lovullo will start left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (4-1, 2.53 ERA). Colorado will counter with right-hander Zach Agnos (0-0, 5.59 ERA). Kelly (4-3, 5.71 ERA) logged his 11th quality start; the rotation’s ERA is 2.60, third best in MLB. Arizona is 17-7 versus sub-.500 teams and has a .301 batting average.
Why It Matters
The series offers Arizona a chance to push its record to 26-23, keeping the club above .500 for the first time since April 30 and preserving a modest playoff window. A win also sustains momentum against sub-.500 opponents, while Colorado’s injury-laden roster and reliance on a rookie starter limit its ability to affect Arizona’s NL West positioning.
Official Statements, Criticism & Responses
Lovullo said the club’s recent play ranks among the best he has seen in recent seasons. Marte said his performance is improving step by step. Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer acknowledged his team is still learning to win after the recent defeat. Pitcher Merrill Kelly warned that the squad has not yet reached its full potential.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Ketel Marte’s current OPS, with one report listing .702 and another citing .625. Merrill Kelly’s season ERA is consistently reported as 5.71, yet his recent 15-day ERA appears as 2.05 in one account and 2.60 in another. No official statistics have been released to reconcile these figures.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If I had to answer the question, I’m going to say as good as I’ve seen in a long time here,” — Torey Lovullo, Diamondbacks Manager
- “They know. They're in the process of learning how to win. ... We had exactly what we wanted there in the ninth inning. It was just unfortunate, just didn't work out.” — Warren Schaeffer, Rockies Manager
- “I still don’t think we’re anywhere close to as good of a team that we could be.” — Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks Pitcher
- “We are playing hungry, we’re winning and we’re really unified.” — Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks Second Baseman
What’s Next
Arizona will pitch Eduardo Rodriguez Thursday at 6:40 p.m. MST, followed by Michael Soroka, Tomoyuki Sugano, Zac Gallen and Ryne Nelson in the remaining games. A victory would preserve momentum before the Diamondbacks face the NL West leader Los Angeles Dodgers later in May.
